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M50.122 vs M54.13

M50.122 (Cervical disc disorder at C5-C6 level with radiculopathy) compared with M54.13 (Radiculopathy, cervicothoracic region), from the official CMS tabular data. Do not report these codes together: the official tabular list marks them Excludes1.

Can these codes be reported together?

Yes, when both are documented. M50.122 carries an Excludes2 note covering M54.13: “brachial radiculitis NOS (M54.13)”

Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.

No — do not report together. M54.13 carries an Excludes1 note covering M50.122: “radiculopathy with cervical disc disorder (M50.1)”

Sole exception: when the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

Side by side

M50.122Cervical disc disorder at C5-C6 level with radiculopathyM54.13Radiculopathy, cervicothoracic region
Billing statusBillableBillable
ClassificationM00-M99 — Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (M00-M99)M00-M99 — Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (M00-M99)
DefinitionCervical disc disorder at C5-C6 level with radiculopathy is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M50.122).Radiculopathy, cervicothoracic region is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M54.13).
Includes
cervicothoracic disc disorders with cervicalgia
cervicothoracic disc disorders
C5-C6 disc disorder with radiculopathy
C6 radiculopathy due to disc disorder

Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources